Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516
Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jul 26, 2020 20:27:18 GMT
[Personal Log Entry: post - S1E5]First of all, I'd like to go on record as stating, this personal log crap is big pile of roozh[fn]excrement[/fn]. However, Starfleet is big on having a record of everything... including people's thoughts. Personally, I think they invest way too much time in psychology. They say they're concerned about a person's mental health. There's probably just a bunch of spooks sitting in a room listening to these and gauging who's ripe for exploitation. Well, if you are listening, just know that you've just uploaded a nasty little virus into your network. Anyway, on with the story. I was just enjoying a Terran beer in the Spotty Alibi. Everyone's kinda giving the Blue Beta a wide berth while Security finishes working the scene. And who should walk up to keep my from minding my own business....
"Excuse me, ma'am," said a security officer. Looking at his face, I didn't recognize him. That probably should have been a red flag, but there was a new ship that had come in today. New Fleeter ships typically equate to new faces. More 'personnel' for me to get acquainted with. "The Captain wishes to speak to you. She asked me to escort you."Well, who am I to keep Captain Ellis waiting? I took one final swig of bear, placed a slip of latinum on the table and got up to follow the security officer. As he led me towards the turbolift, I remembered thinking that this was probably just typical ego-stroking. Not that Captain Ellis had ever given me the impression that she catered to such nuances. I honestly only crossed paths with her... like literally crossed paths... a handful of times. Perhaps Commander Eastman had talked me up onto her schedule for some sort of compensation for my services. Or, she'd finally decided to gauge how much of a threat I was on this side of the cell in the brig. According to her records, she used to shrink heads for a living. As we stepped onto the turbo lift, he called out Deck 11, not the Command Center. "Where are we going again?" I asked. I was ready to knock this greenie's head right into the nearest panel. "The Captain's waiting in the Observation Lounge, ma'am," he answered. It didn't strike me as odd. In fact, it actually gave a bit more credibility to the idea of Ellis giving me the third degree. Best not bring a potential cyber-threat to the nerve center of the station. Check one for Ellis. As the doors parted, I follow the officer out of the lift as we strolled down the corridor. Standing to one side of the lounge's door was another security officer. Again, another face I didn't recognize. I thought it was odd that Melihn would put two newbies on the Captain, especially after what had happened with the Kurjarians. Maybe she wanted her best investigating otherwise. The guard that had led me there took guard opposite his counterpart as the door opened. Clearly, it was up to me to walk inside... alone. Once I was inside, I noticed that it was dim. Much dimmer than humans preferred. I also felt the refreshing chill, realizing that the environmental controls had been altered. I could see the silhouette of the Captain staring out into space, in the direction of the planet with the rumored creepy crawlers. Though, this woman was taller than Ellis. Perhaps even a bit more lithe considering her height. As I moved forward, her silhouette took on a more detailed shape... one more familiar. I'd taken only about a half dozen steps before I recognized exactly who this was. "You," I uttered, making no effort to hide the contempt in my voice. This was so typical of her. The games... the deception... the emotional manipulation. This was the woman I once trusted more than anyone, and she repaid that trust with betrayal. She'd stabbed me in the back, kicked me off a cliff and left me to die. Okay, perhaps not literally, but I'll be damned if I have to lie on a couch for an hour for someone to tell me the source of any 'issues' they think I have. It's her. It's always been her. "Hello, Kova," she said as she turned around, and took a single step into the light. "What? No kiss for your shreya[fn]mother, reproductive egg comes from her.[/fn]?"{Spoiler}  [fn]Captain Shryli Sh'tarrin, Kova's shreya, Kova's one-time idol, Bane of Kova's existence, Master Spook, all-around bitch; The blue print for a 'real piece of work.' Again, the SOURCE of all Kova's ISSUES![/fn] Damn putting my fist through a wall. I was going to bury it in her face! TBC
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516
Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Jul 29, 2020 8:25:15 GMT
[Personal Log Entry: Post S1E5]
I could have lived the rest of my life without seeing the face of the woman standing in front of me. I suppose there are pink-skins that would consider that a tragic statement. Well, that's because they don't know my shreya. I mean, I have two mothers, thanks to traditional Andorian culture. This isn't even the woman that raised me... my zhavey[fn]birth mother[/fn]. Of course, I've always taken after my shreya... right down to the DNA. Some Terran headshrinker might suggest that we don't get along because we're so alike. If that's the case, is that why my shreya basically engineered my expulsion from Starfleet and my family? Because there's only room for one of us?!
Let me tell you where you can stuff all that textbook psychobabble. Right up your phuuzh[fn]anus[/fn]!
"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked feeling entitled to know. The woman had effectively vanished from my life for nearly two decades, and now she had engineered this little reunion. I wasn't inclined to believe she had all of a sudden grown a conscience.
Shryli moved a bit closer, with a smile on her face. It was unnerving, and yet so familiar. It was the same smile she'd always had, especially when she came home to visit on leave. It was as if she could sense the excitement of her daughter, waiting to be regaled by yet another fascinating tale from the cosmos. If she was expecting a similar response after all these years, she was about to be sorely disappointed. I'd had my own adventures... lived my own life. And because of her, I'd never have the chance to experience life as she had... as a Starfleet officer. It was something I'd made piece with long ago.
As the Andorian captain came to a stop, her eyes inspecting her eldest daughter she continued to smile, as if nothing had changed between them. "So, Kova, how have you been?"
I made no attempt to conceal the rolling of my eyes. "You know damn well how I've been," I responded.
Shryli nodded. "I can see that you're still upset," she replied with the smile still there. "I thought you would have moved on by now."
"Moved on?" Oh no she didn't. "Moved on?! What the hell was wrong with this woman? "You personally stood by and did nothing... nothing as your own shei[fn]daughter; egg-bearing female[/fn] was drummed out of Starfleet and sent to prison. All so that you could save face!"
Shryli sighed. "We've already talked about this. It was a necessary sacrifice for our family," she replied.
I shook her head. I couldn't just sit there and listen to that. "Sacrifice? My own brother disowned me. You weren't the one that was carved out of the family. You still get to go home. Hell, you've been promoted... received commendations... what exactly did you lose in all of this?"
The smile had faded from Shryli's face as she stared back at her daughter. "I lost you," she uttered. There seemed to be a hint of tears on the brim of her eyes.
"Stop it!" I said instantly. "You don't get to play the victim. And those tears... they're not working this time."
Almost instantly, the emotion on the Andorian captain's face seemed to vanish. "Well, your attempt to do so was so bland," Shryli commented critically, "I felt you could do with a few pointers. You have to dedicate yourself to the part, Kova. I mean... even this misfit you attempt to portray... your bleeding heart tends to give you away. People will use it against you."
"Bitch," I muttered, though clearly it was loud enough to be heard. I could see the contempt in her eyes. I suddenly felt like a child once more... the very first time I'd ever uttered a swear. Even now, I felt frozen by fear... and possibly even guilt for having uttered such an affront.
"Your anger I'm willing to tolerate, but not your disrespect. Am I clear?" Shryli declared. It felt as if I was swallowing shards of ice, as I slowly nodded. Clearly I had touched a nerve. She retreated away, leaving a chilling gust in her wake, that sent a shiver down to my spine. Turning her back upon me, she returned her gaze to the cosmos beyond the window. "What if I could give it all back?"
My antennae seemed to straighten in astonishment. My attention had never waned, but now it was certainly upon my shreya. I found myself moving forward and towards her. "What?" I asked.
"The family... Starfleet... a promising future," Shryli stated. "Everything you felt that you'd lost... can all be restored."
What she was promising was enticing. Hell, to say that I didn't want it all was a lie. Normally, parents would give selflessly for their children. However, what Captain Shryli Sh'tarrin was offering most definitely came with a price.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516
Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Aug 22, 2020 21:46:47 GMT
[Personal Log Entry: Post S1E5]
Damn her. The smartest thing I can do right now is turn around and walk out of this room without uttering so much as another word. I don't believe her. There's no way I trust her. And yet, I can't walk away from what she's offering. Because if there's even a chance....
It's emotional blackmail. I'm a moth and she's the flame. She knows that I can't say no to this, and that's exactly why she's dangling it in front of me. Yes, walking away is the smart thing to do. But, when you've lived as long as I have exiled from your family.... Who wouldn't want to go home?
I stared into my shreya's eyes, my brow furrowed with suspicion that was well-earned. I was looking for any hint of deception, but I knew that I wouldn't find it. If she didn't want me to know, I never would. "What do you want from me? And be very specific. The slightest hint that you aren't being straight with me, and I'm out that door."
Shryli stood there, and nodded before she began to speak. "Very well," she said nodding. "This region of space is a hotbed of conflict. The instability on Caldonia. This growing tension with the Nyberrite Alliance. The Tholians. The Gorn. The Klingons' need to shed blood whether it's ours or their own," Shryli exhaled. "The Federation needs the chips to fall a certain way. However, in order for that to happen, I need to know exactly what's happening on this base, and aboard the Mac."
My brow furrowed with confusion. I shrugged my shoulders believing the answers were obvious. "Isn't that what mission reports are for? Don't you pontificate in your little Captain's log like everyone else?"
Shryli shook her head. "Oh, Kova. I thought you'd be much more jaded by now and know better than to believe that." Shryli started to pace around the room, her eyes staring out the windows once more. "Mission reports are biased interpretations. Starship captains enjoy their autonomy. You have those that rush to admiralty, but the greatest thrill of the uniform is being a maverick on the frontier: Brokering peace, initiating first contact, and saving lives. However, that hubris has consequences. I need to shape those consequences to fit the Federation's plans."
She had given me nothing more than a maze of words to weed through. I shook my head, probably again asking the obvious. "What does that have to do with me? Wouldn't someone like Harmon, Eastman or Ellis be better suited for this?"
"Ellis is out," Shryli said simply. "I ask that you keep that to yourself. Though, it should be obvious that the Federation's plans are larger than anyone in command of this station. And frankly speaking, I won't someone I can trust." I shouldn't have been surprised at hearing those words. After all, I'd been the one that kept her secrets the longest. "Eastman is a family woman. She'd argue otherwise, but she can be compromised. And Harmon... he has an inflated sense of self. You're more than capable of getting the job done, shei[fn]daughter; egg-bearing female[/fn]."
"But I don't have that kind of access," I argued.
It had been years since I heard the sound of her laughter. It was genuine... nostalgic. Perhaps that should have worried me even more. "Kova, we both know you're more than capable of gathering that information without getting caught. The only question is, will you?"
And just like that, I stood at the crossroads once more. It was just like the night she visited me in that cell, leaving me with what I thought was a choice. Of course, there was only one decision that I could make, and that had been the one that she left me with. "You don't have to answer right now," she said aloud. "I'll be in this sector for a few weeks. That should give you some time to think about my offer." Shryli moved back towards her daughter, smiling. "And do think about it, Kova."
Shryli reached out and placed her hands on both of my shoulders as she stared into my eyes. Perhaps I was just thirsty for affection, because it looked as if there were a hint of pride in her eyes. I felt her hands slide from my shoulders, and missed the show of affection almost immediately. As she moved past me and towards the door, I turned to watch her leave the room. And as the doors closed behind her, my own eyes turned towards the stars. And a single revelation weighed heavily on my heart. For so many years, I wanted to travel to each and every one of these stars, but now, the call of home seemed to be overwhelming.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516
Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Sept 19, 2020 19:54:07 GMT
[Personal Log Entry: Post S1E6]
It was wrong... but it felt so good, for a number of reasons. The first being the general thrill. It was the sort of adrenaline high I hadn't felt in so long. Truth be told, I'm probably making more of it than it really is. Another reason it felt so right, it because of who authorized it. Staring across the table at her as she read the file, felt so familiar. For a moment, it felt as if it was as it was years ago. She'd come home, plant herself in a chair and read. My siblings and I would position ourselves in wait of the perfect moment to play with our shreya[fn]mother; egg-bearing[/fn], for the first time in months. This oddly felt no different. It wasn't until she literally started laughing out loud, that I realized that was a lifetime ago.
Her laughter echoed across the table as she set the PADD down. "Did he really say this out loud? Please tell me it's not a decryption error," Shryli said as she chuckled once more at the mission report. She took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly shaking her head.
"I don't make decryption errors," Kova replied simply. "And you know that. Otherwise, you wouldn't have asked me to do it." Kova sat in the chair and then finally shook her head. "And I think we both know you could access that file anyway. So, the better question is why did you have me do it?" Kova felt that she already knew the answer. "Some sort of test?"
The smile on Shryli's face softened. "Are we going to spend the rest of our time asking one another questions we already know the answer to?" Shryi asked.
Kova pushed her chair back from the table and stood up. "You're right," Kova said, "this is a waste of my time." The younger Andorian turned towards the doors of the observation lounge ready to take her leave.
"Sit down, Kova," Shryli said flatly. Somehow, the woman's words still seemed to have authority over her. "I asked you to do that because I needed to know if you could step out of your newfound comfort zone. As far as appearances go, working with the Security office aboard this station has put you on a tight leash."
Turning around, Kova firmly planted her palms on the table as she stared across it at her shreya. She clearly didn't care for the woman's words. Perhaps it was the choice of words, or the fact that they held some weight of truth. "Let me guess," Shryli began. "They keep you at arm's length. Turn to you when it's convenient. I doubt they give you any real authority. Just enough so that the seedier types that occupy the station stay wary of you." Kova said nothing, though she did find herself comparing her situation to Kova's words. "How many members of the senior staff have you met? Or do they simply find it convenient to keep you nestled in the promenade's security office? You've probably never even set foot in Ops."
"Is there a point to all of this?" Kova asked.
"They're using you, Kova," Shryli said simply. "As long as it's convenient for them and on their terms. I doubt that Perry even knows who you are. Eastman is probably trying to determine if you're a threat... and Melihn and Aune plan to keep you busy by logging security feed. You're wasting your talents here."
"Well, sadly my career prospects are rather limited... thanks to my criminal record," Kova stated through gritted teeth.
"Stop making excuses. If you don't like the circumstances, change them," Shryli said. She then slid a PADD across the table.
Kova reached out and took the PADD into her hands. "What's this?" Kova asked.
"An opportunity," Shryli stated. "The question is, are you going to take it?"
Kova shook her head, clearly perplexed by what she was reading. "But, this says things may be stabilizing on Chalna," Kova said. "With a centralized government, the people of that world would stop literally tearing each other apart."
Shryli sighed. "Look at the big picture, Kova, as well as whom power is coalescing on Chalna. Viriqq is the offspring of one of Chalna's prevalent warlords. Their views don't look favorably upon the Federation, which has enacted a long-standing hands off policy where Chalna is concerned. Famine and anarchy have run rampant, and Viriqq is giving the recent misfortune on his planet a face: ours. That coupled with intercepted communiques with the Caldonians suggest a very hushed but likely alliance in the making. One that promises to rid the Caldonians of their resident problem...."
"The Kurjarians?" Kova finished.
"If Viriqq comes to power, the balance of power will shift in this region. The Chalnoth and the Caldonians will forge an alliance... something the Federation had no hand in. Enter rumblings of recent Tholian aggression and the unknowns that surround the Nyberrite Alliance... the Federation's presence in this region will destabilize rather quickly.
Kova continued to turn this all over in her mind. "So, what exactly are you planning to do? Expose Viriqq's plan."
"It's not that simple," Shryli said. "The people of Chalna only want the agony to end. Our revealing his plans just makes us the villains looking to extend their turmoil. Plus, we come off as trying to control the situation. There are ways to handle this... but I wanted you to try first."
Kova stared incredulously back at her shreya. "Me? What do you expect me to do?"
"Something. Perhaps nothing," Shryli stated. "I already have a contingency in play. I simply assumed that whatever you came up with would have a significantly smaller body count." Kova's eyes widened at the admission. "I don't have to remind you how sensitive the information I shared with you is. Travel arrangements have been made to get you to Chalna, if you decide to go. If not...." The woman's voice trailed off as she finally stood. She started towards the door of the observation lounge, leaving the fate of who knew how many lives in Kova's hands. As the doors parted, her guards stood at attention. "I'd pack light. You don't want to stand out like a tourist." And with that, the doors closed, leaving the Andorian alone... somehow more so than she'd felt in a long time.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516
Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Oct 4, 2020 17:26:14 GMT
[Personal Log Entry: Post S1E7]
Well, I did it. I took the transport to Chalna. Whether it was actually a choice is the real question. I was asked to take a few days off. Whether it was because I saved a bunch of pink little asses or made a bunch of those pink little faces red, the suggestion was still made. So, getting off the station for a while may actually work out for me. However, I'm not a fan of idle time. So, I took the job. I call it a job, because to say it's an offer is just setting myself up to be disappointed. One things is certain, I now believe in Hell. What's the human phrase: seeing is believing.
[Transport Terminal, Chalna]
I couldn't believe my eyes from the moment I stepped off the transport to Chalna. I thought I'd seen war-torn worlds, but never anything like this. Granted, the only comparison I could make was what the Cardassians had done to the Bajoran's colonies or the destruction the Dominion had wrought. Yet, somehow all of that seemed to pale in the wake of what the Chalnoth had done to themselves. Ruins seemed to be everywhere, and what was worth, it seemed that some of these buildings had been domesticated. People were actually living in these rubbles. It actually made me wonder if I was doing the right thing.
"Hey, Blueskin!" a brusque voice called out. I turned my attention to in that direction and noticed a pair of Chalnoth approaching me. Somehow, they seemed a bit cleaner than most of the other Chalnoth around. They certainly looked better fed. "What are you doing here, Andorian? Business or pleasure?"
My brow furrowed as I looked between the pair of them. "Well, according to your mother...." I had barely gotten to the butt of the joke when the other Chalnoth burst out into a raucous laughter. A smile spread to my own face as I thought I'd mastered humor on this world. Of course, the Chalnoth that had spoken, didn't find my quip nearly as funny. Despite his size, he was deceptively fast. His massive hand grabbed my shirt and jacket, and he spun me like I was a ragdoll. I only saw his free arm draw back, and was lucky that someone grabbed his arm at that moment.
"Wait! This is the one Viriqq sent for. The communications consultant," said a third Chlana, who had appeared almost out of nowhere. "She is the one that will help spread his word to unite our people."
"Her?!" he scoffed. "Her words are useless. The only thing she's good for is filling our bellies."
"Actually," I said, speaking up. "I pick up on the local dialects pretty quickly." I felt his body tense as I applied a bit of pressure to the blade just beneath his groin. It was enough to persuade him to let go of me and earn another bark of laughter from his associate.
"Get her out of my sight, Seerva," he said to the Chalna who had kept me from being gutted like a ice carp. "And mind your tongue around me, churi[fn]female goat-like creature on Chalna; derogatory term[/fn]"
"It's Kova actually," I said. The pair walked off leaving me with Seerva. As I looked to him, he motioned for me to follow. "What the hell is his problem?"
"Right now, you. Lurik is the last person you want to make an enemy of. He's in charge of Viriqq's security," Seerva explained. "You're boss said that you were subtle. That was not subtle. At this rate, you'll be dead by this evening."
I rolled my eyes at the mention of my boss. "Yeah, my boss doesn't know me as well as she thinks," I said. "Don't worry. I'll finish the job. And Lurik... he won't be a problem. I'm sure of it."
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516
Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Oct 17, 2020 20:28:21 GMT
[Personal Log Entry: Post S1E7]
There's an argument to be made for just razing what's left of the surface for Chalna and to start from scratch. Take the place Seerva set me up in for instance. I doubt I'll be getting any sleep while I'm here. I'm not even sure the roof will stay put. Of course, my quarters are more 'luxurious' (if that's the word that you want to use) compared to my neighbors who actually don't have all four walls in their abode.
For the time being, I've been made an over-glorified secretary. I've sent a few invitations to several 'leaders' that Viriqq wants at his place tonight. Apparently, it's supposed to be some big pow-wow about consolidating power under him. If this is all that they expect of me, then I'll never get close enough to complete my mission. Hopefully, what I have planned doesn't blow up in my face.
[Viriqq's Compound, Chalna]
A brisk warm breeze flows through my hair, as I stand there next to Seerva. He collected me a little over an hour ago, and it seems that we've spent most of the time since arriving waiting for something. Finally, the sound of a shuttle landing seems to signify the beginning of something. I remain quiet, lifting my arms to shield my face from the dust blown in every direction as the vessel lands. Once the doors open, I see a pair of Caldonians. Suddenly, a Chalna with a little too much importance in his stride steps outside flanked by two other Chalna, one of which is Lurik.
It doesn't take long for me to realize that the arrogant one must be Viriqq. He greets the Caldonians and they seem to chat about something rather privately. I try to move forward by Seerva warms me against it. A sigh escapes my lips as I role my eyes. I would say that he's concerned about my safety, but he's probably more worried about saving his own hide, considering he would have been the one to walk an infiltrator right through the front gate. They move to the rear of the shuttle where some cargo is being off-loaded. I finally, get the cue to actually approach.
"It's time to earn your money, blue-skin," Lurik said. It wouldn't surprise me if he wasn't hoping that I'd fail terribly so.
"You," said Viriqq to me. He pointed at the cargo, which was being opened. "You can use this to establish a communications network, yes?"
It took me a moment to inspect the merchandise, though not nearly as long as one would anticipate. "Sure," I replied. It certainly wouldn't be difficult. The smile on Viriqq's face widened as he began to walk away. "If you're planning to talk to someone at the other end of the compound." My words seemed to halt the Chalnoth's stride almost instantly. As he turned around to face me, I would have wagered all the latinum I could get my hands on that the smirk on his face had vanished even faster.
"This equipment is almost a century old," I announced. "And it also has a faulty transistor which makes it susceptible to overloading unless there's a cooling apparatus attached... which I don't see." I looked towards the Caldonians who seemed to be sweating already as Viriqq turned to face them. "I'm sure those are on the next shipment."
The Caldonians eyes were upon me. Clearly, he hadn't planned on making a second trip, but if he was planning on breathing for the foreseeable future, plans would change. "Yes," he finally replied. "I will contact my colleagues to see what the ETA will be." He turned and headed towards his shuttle to raise someone on the comms.
"Make certain that we have everything we will need," Viriqq said to me. "And if we don't... I want to be made aware immediately...."
He allowed his words to linger, and I quickly realized that he was looking for my name. "Kova," I finished.
Viriqq nodded. "Yes... Kova. Lurik, make sure Kova has the access she needs to get our network set up. I want it prepared to present to our guests when they arrive." There was a nod from Lurik as Viriqq strode past him. Lurik's eyes then turned to me which I met with a smirk of my own. I doubted that he cared for that as he turned to follow Viriqq.
I exchanged a brief nod with Seerva. This was certainly progress. And it was also step one in stabbing someone in the back: gaining their trust.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516
Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Oct 24, 2020 23:45:12 GMT
[Personal Log Entry: Post S1E7]
It didn't take long for the Caldonians to live up to their promise to Viriqq, and no sooner had the equipment arrived that he sent me to work. It didn't take long to know how things worked on Chalna. I was able to discern the identities of the warlords working with Viriqq. I worked on sight at several strongholds to make certain the communications network was properly installed. I also learned that the Chalnoth are proud, egotistical and talk far too loudly, because I was able to discern the names of their rivals and some of their locales as well.
So, now I know all the players. The who's... the where's... the when's... and the how's. Nobody gives a damn about the why's. I suppose this is the part where I contact... HER... and hope that she can crush this offensive before Viriqq can consolidate power here on Chalna. Because, if he does, his next stop will be to wipe out the Kurjarians.
[Kova's Quarters, A Hell-hole, Chalna]
I tipped that cook far too much. But hell, he can certainly use it far more than I can. I certainly wasn't tipping for the slop in this bag, though as far as gruel goes, it's better than anything else around these parts. The cook had been complaining the past few times that I had gone in about the oven needing repairs. Maybe the tip would help. As I opened the door to her quarters, it was still dark. My hand moved through the darkness feeling for the lamp. Once it brushed against the lamp, I reached to turn it on. With the illumination, I quickly learned that I wasn't alone.
A gasp left my lips, as I saw Seerva lying on the floor in the middle of a pool of his own blood. "Seerva!" I cried. I started to move towards him, but held firm, realizing that the assailant was likely still there. No sooner had I turned around that I saw a large mass looming behind me, with what seemed like an even larger blade moving down upon me. I lifted both of my arms overhead, blocking the blade's strike upon me with my forearms. That of course left me open for another strike, as the back of her assailant's fist smashed into my jaw.
The blow had enough power to knock me from her feet, and what felt like halfway across the room. I rolled along the floor, and looked up in time to see that it was Lurik whom had come for me. I could taste the blue blood filling my mouth and streaming from its corner. "We found your communications device," he said as he moved closer. "I know you've been spilling our secrets. My guess... Starfleet." Lurik swung the blade again, and I quickly rolled out of the way. As soon as I got to my foot, his arm clubbed me from behind knocking me back to the floor.
It felt as if all the air had exploded from my lungs. As I turned I felt his large hand crush around my throat. Any attempt to take air in was quickly ceased. The devilish smile upon his face revealed just how much he was enjoying this. There were words that left his lips, something akin to savoring this moment, but I hardly cared to truly hear. Desperate, I reached up, digging my nails into the flesh upon his face and raking down as hard as I could. One of my fingers ripping across his eye. I was oblivious to any actual damage, but I know that his grip loosened as he cried out in pain.
It was a struggle to take in actual air. Perhaps it was because I was trying to suck in all the air in the room at once. Lurik only reeled back for a moment, his anger renewed as looked down upon me. He brought the blade down hard. It was only because I rolled that the blade missed... though not entirely. I felt it tear through the flesh in my arm, causing me to cry out in pain. One thing was for certain. Hell-hole or not, people tended to mind their business, even if their neighbor was being viscerated. I got to my feet, trying to move towards the door, but felt Lurik's hands wrap around me and lift me up and across the room. Literally, I was in the air, and crashed into the table that the lamp had been upon, splintering it into pieces.
In so many ways, I just wanted it to end. Lurik was all too prepared to accommodate that wish. I felt his large hands grab my ankle. He began to drag me back towards him. My hands flailed... looking for something to to hold on to. Though nothing seemed firmly in place or a match for his strength. A splintered shard of wood was all that I could hold. He made comments about what he would do to me... or my corpse. Each syllable making me more desperate, as I couldn't think which was more terrifying: him having his way with me or devouring me altogether. As soon as he spun me over, I swung wildly with the shard of wood and managed to drive it right into the side of Lurik's neck. I could hear him gag... choking on his on blood, but the fury in his eyes was as bright as ever. His large hands closed around my throat again. I could feel him squeezing the life out of me. My eyes were wide, as the world around me began to blur and darken.
This was it. This was the end. And all I could think about was wanting my mother... needing her. And then... there was nothing.
I woke with a loud gasp, coughing, the weight of Lurik's lifeless corpse lying on top of me. After steadying my breath as much as I could, I managed to pivot his lifeless form so that I could slide out from beneath it. All I wanted right now, was to get the hell off this planet. To hell with her plan. To hell with Viriqq. To hell with.... My eyes moved to Seerva. I crawled across the floor to see that he was now just as lifeless as Lurik. I finally noticed, not far from Seerva, my communicator... shattered. Likely along with with any means of getting off this planet alive.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516
Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Oct 30, 2020 14:47:24 GMT
[Personal Log Entry: Post S1E7]
I've never been more envious of humans than now. They have this child-like propensity to hope. I'm a dead woman. Believe it or not, Lurik sealed my fate as he bled out. If there was any air left in his lungs, I'm sure his lifeless body would manage to laugh at my expense. I'm stuck on Chalna, so I have at least one foot stuck in hell already. There are two dead Chalnoth in my quarters, and eventually someone will come looking for them. And what will they find? Me, covered in the blood of one of them... beaten, sore and unable to call for help.
Call for help? It's been a long time since I've asked anyone for help. Right now, I'd give anything for some distant ear to hear just a whisper from my lips....
[Kova's Quarters, A Hell-hole, Chalna]
I've done something I haven't done in a long time: pray. "Don't let me fall at the hands of the dead, Uzaveh[fn]Andorian deity[/fn]. But if it is your will, guide me back to the icy shores of home. Ka'ma[fn]equivalent to amen; pronunced kah-may[/fn]." As my eyes opened, I found myself still settled in the same bloody sight. Surprisingly, no one has come to even see what brought about the silence after the storm that had raged within these walls only moments ago. Clearly, people knew better than to involve themselves in the business of Viriqq's men. The one thing I knew, was that I couldn't stay there. But where was I supposed to go?
Trying to catch a transport off this rock would be foolish. Viriqq's men are constantly monitoring who comes and goes from there. I have no one that I can actually turn to. My one ally on this planet is lying just as dead as the person who wanted me dead almost from the moment I set foot on Chalna. And there's absolutely no way to call for a pick-up. And no sooner that the thought cross my mind, that another doesn't as well.
I quickly push myself to my feet, and instantly regret it as the pain ripples through my body. I stroll past a broken mirror shard, and see the swelling and bruising upon my face. The tips of my ivory hair strands, stained in the blue of my own blood. Normally, such a sight would break a person, but it actually gave me that elusive sense of hope. Hope that the plan swirling in my head would actually work.
I left my room as quickly as I could, which was quite a feat from the limp I had developed. One of the throws by Lurik had certainly injured my hip. I eventually made it to the perimeter of Viriqq's compound. I could only hope that they wouldn't shoot my on sight. If Lurik had shared his suspicions, then I was as good as dead. Though, Viriqq appreciated facts. So, if Lurik had gone to my place to find them, then maybe there was still a chance.
"Please! I need to speak to Viriqq, immediately," I said to the guard. He recognized me instantly, as well as my current state. I did my best to spin a quick tale about some of Viriqq's rivals, abducting me and torturing me for information. Rather quickly, I gained an audience with Viriqq. I was careful and vague... not pointing fingers at anyone in particular. I allowed his imagination to fill in the blanks. I recognized the look on his face: anger... desperation.
"They're planning to hit the other network hubs. Sometime within the next few hours. Certainly before sunrise," I said.
"And we will be ready for them," Viriqq said. He called for one of his men and ordered him to contact the others.
"Wait. They said they intercepted our test communications," I said. Viriqq looked upon me, clearly not happy with what he was hearing. "I suspect that's... that's how they knew."
Viriqq took a few steps towards me. "That's something you assured wouldn't happen," he said as he closed upon me. "You have put my entire plans in jeopardy. Lurik was right."
"I can fix it," I said quickly. "I can fix it. I just need one chance. I can calibrate the machines the same way I did for the Maquis. It would send coded secure messages within a bunch of static. Only your lieutenants would be able to decipher the actual message."
There was a grin of satisfaction upon Viriqq's face. "Then, see to it," he said with a smile. He gestured for one of his men to escort me to the communications unit. As I left the room, he also asked someone to find Lurik. He was annoyed that the man wasn't already there. That meant that my time was limited. Once I reached the room, the guard stood sentry allowing me the opportunity to work. I had to trust that he was no communication's expert. My fingers danced furiously across the console as I did my best to send an encrpyted message for help. SHE sure has hell better be listening.
Out of nowhere, I felt a large arm wrap around my neck and pull me back. "No! NO!" I screamed, as I was dragged from the seat. The chair fell to the ground and my feet flailed wildly as I tried to stand. All I could see was the distance between myself and the communications unit growing more and more. As we turned a corner, the door shut and I lost sight of the unit altogether... along with any hope of survival.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516
Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Nov 14, 2020 4:09:31 GMT
[Personal Log Entry: Post S1E7]I can't hear myself screaming over the thudding in my own heart. Can they? Of course, what use it? No one is coming to help me. I'm going to die on this rock... alone. After all these years, you would think that I'd have learned one simple lesson: look out for yourself, first and foremost. Because no one else is going to do it.
[Viriqq's Compound, Chalna] I was surprised that my jaw was still attached to my head. I was pretty sure that it would have fallen into the pool of blue blood right along with with the two teeth I was staring at. At least until this ogre holding me snapped my head back so that Viriqq could look upon his work. He rubbed his knuckles, and seemed to be saying something. Truth be told, I couldn't make it out over the ringing in my ears. Hell, I could barely see him through swelling of my eye. Either way, through the blurry haze, he seemed satisfied with himself. He brandished a blade from it's sheath. The sight of that told me all I needed to know. The time had come. I tried to struggle, but the ogre's grip was like iron. A few primal grunts left my lips as I futilely struggled for my freedom. My eyes moved from Viriqq to the blade, which seemed to be larger and larger with each step. And suddenly, it clattered to the ground, followed by Viriqq with a charred phaser blast right in the center of his forehead. I felt the grip on me loosen and I fell forward. I couldn't move. I ached all over. Though, I could see a flurry of phaser and disruptor blasts loom overhead. As I looked forward, I stared at the lifeless body of Viriqq. I wanted to believe that it was over. But I knew better than to get my hopes up. Still, I was too tired to fight any longer. I could feel my eyes getting heavier and heavier as the world around me was consumed in black. ********** [Sickbay, USS Gorgon] My eyes opened, and I squinted at the brightness. I shut my eyes, trying to avert them from the light. As I opened them again, I saw anything but poverty. Staring down, I recognized that I was on a biobed. There were panels along the room, and I quickly deduced I was in some sort of infirmary. As my eyes scanned the room, they finally fell upon a form standing over me. It was her. I rolled my eyes, and found that even that hurt, which solicited a groan from my lips. "So, I did die," I groaned as I lay my head back. "Well, for your sake I'm glad that I'm still a disappointment for you," Shryli said. She moved a bit closer with her arms clasped behind her back. "The doctor says that you should make a full recovery. There was no permanent dama--""No permanent damage?!" I spat as I sat up in bed, staring over at my shreya[fn]mother, egg-bearing[/fn]. "That son of a bitch beat the living hell out of me!""And now, he's dead," she said simply. The announcement caused me to freeze right in my tracks. It took a moment, but the memory started to return. The phaser blast, right betweent he eyes. I stared at her. "Viriqq's dead?" I asked. She said nothing more, but simply cocked her head to the side slightly. There was a hint of a smile in the way her lips curled. "Did you--""We detected part of your transmission. By the time we arrived, Viriqq had already gotten to you. His entire operation was obliterated. The comm units you set up, helped us to identify his other key strongholds, and they were hit as well. Another pair of rivals have received quite the boon of resources to begin their own campaigns for power. And the Caldonians... well, they won't have the organized might of the Chalnoth at their disposal to slaughter the Kurjarians.""This is what you wanted the entire time," I said aloud. "There was always going to be bloodshed, wasn't there?"Shryli stood there for a moment staring at her shei[fn]daughter, egg-bearing[/fn]. She swallowed and took a deep breath. "I had hoped there would be," Shryli said. "But that changed when we found you." The woman's hand reached out towards me, and I recoiled away from her touch. I saw her hands clinch closed, but her face betrayed no additional emotions. "We should arrive at the station within the hour. I'm sure you're eager to get home."I watched as she started to turn to leave. Was that supposed to be it? Just drop me off on my doorstep and disappear? "That's it? I take it you didn't mean anything you said before?" That seemed to stop her as she turned around to face me. "Why am I not surprised?""Family... Starfleet... a promising future," Shryli recited once again. "You didn't think you could have it all back just like that after one mission, did you?" I sighed and rolled my eyes, realizing that I'd been played. I wasn't sure if I was more upset with her for pulling this crap, or me for daring to buy any of it. "Let's call this... a start... to a promising future." The smile on her face spread widely as she turned to take her leave from the ship. "I'll be in touch, dear."As the door closed behind her I rolled my eyes, silently cursing after her. It was at that point that I knew this was all far from over.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516
Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Mar 2, 2021 1:12:38 GMT
[Personal Log Entry: During S1M8]
So, where do I find myself today? On Freecloud... in the rain. Absolutely, no one else is in the rain right now, so why am I? You guessed it... her! Somehow, I've become a courier. She promises that it's a simple pick-up and drop-off. Why can't she spare any of her subordinates to do so? Because it's probably all too much fun to ferry it off on me.
[Siiv's Lab, Freecloud]
As I stepped out of the rain and under the landing, my eyes searched for a chime, but there wasn't one to be seen. Instead, there was a blank panel. I ran my hand over it, but it didn't seem to register my presence. I scanned the area for some sort of camera, yet again nothing. I rolled my eyes, frustrated. Had Shreya really just sent me to Freecloud of all places for shits and giggles? Uncertain of what to do, I was prepared to turn and take my leave when I heard a voice.
"What do you want?" came a voice out of nowhere.
I centered my eyes on the panel once again. This time, it was slightly illuminated. "Open the door, phuuzhca[fn]anal orifice[/fn]," I replied. Clearly, this guy didn't entertain people very often. Did he think I was trying to sell a box of cookies or something?
"How do I--" he began, but the I quickly shut that down.
"You know who I am, and you know why I'm here," I declared. "If it wasn't to kill you before, it will be in about thirty seconds." I paused a moment, and soon heard a loud lock clear the door. Seconds later, it parted, and I stepped inside. It was a stark difference from the dank streets I had just walked getting here. It was so pristine and clinical. As I moved along the corridor, I realized the only open door was at the end of the hall. My ivory hair clung against her blue skin as I continued down the hallway. Once I reached the door, it opened to a single set of stairs. I actually found myself pausing as I stared up the flight of stairs.
"Are you coming?" the voice called from above. I simply continued to stare, marveling at how the tables had turned. Exhaling, I finally began my ascent up the flight of stairs. Once I reached its peak, another door opened to reveal a lab of some sort.
I stepped into the lab, scanning the terrain for any sign of its occupant. As I progressed throughout the room, I could see what looked like weapon prototypes. There were sheets of metal that had been charred, pierced and obliterated. It was becoming rather evident that this guy probably wasn't someone I wanted to piss off. "You came alone?"
My eyes fell upon the man. Dr. Siiv. He was a Beta Annari. The reptiloid was thin, and appeared somewhat wired, as if he hadn't slept in days. I shrugged, given that it was hardly my problem, believing the man would have known the details of the arrangement. "According to what I heard, the cargo's pocket-sized. Hardly requires an entourage," I stated.
Siiv shook his scaly head. "No. I'm coming to!" he insisted.
I rolled my icy blue Andorian eyes. "That wasn't part of the deal," I said reminding him.
"I'm changing the deal," Siiv said. "You take me and the package off Freecloud, or you leave with nothing. I need asylum."
I didn't even flinch as I turned around. "So long, Doc," I said as I began to walk in the direction from which I'd come.
"Wait!" he called out. "I come with you, or the Orion Syndicate gets a weapon that makes them a rival of the Federation overnight."
It was enough to stop me in my tracks. I turned around, staring in Siiv's eyes, trying to read the man for signs of sincerity or a bluff. "You're full of it," I remarked with a scoff.
"You really think so?" Siiv stated. "My contact said they'd send the only person they could trust with this mission. Looks like she's about to be disappointed... and the Federation is about to find itself fending off a rival that can fillet some of their most formidable ships with a single blast." Siiv gestured at the sheets of metal around the lab. "Look around. You'll find those sheets are the same composition as the hull of Federation, among several other powers in this quadrant."
I looked around the lab. Thus far, it passed the eye-test, but Siiv also wouldn't make claims that he couldn't back up. And if Shryli had sent me here to retrieve whatever Siiv had to offer, it had to be come credibility to his claims. "You've got three minutes to pack," I said cursing aloud while I waited.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516
Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Mar 3, 2021 20:46:54 GMT
[Personal Log Entry: During S1M8]Was it possible for this guy to take any longer? For someone that was so concerned about being left behind, he was certainly taking his time. Of course, now, I was naturally curious about who was possibly after this guy. If he was ready to high-tail it out of here and into the puppeteering hands of the Federation, it had to be serious. No one signs up for that roozh[fn]excrement[/fn].
[Siiv's Lab, Freecloud] "Let's move it, Doc," I said looking around as she moved towards the door leading to the stairwell. I was looking around to see if there was any sort of weapon I could use, especially if Siiv was expecting trouble. Yeah, I know... walking around Freecloud unarmed... probably not the brightest move. Hearing the hurried sound of footsteps coming towards me, I turned and started down the stairs. Dr. Siiv was leaving a lot behind, but he certainly couldn't carry everything. Most of what it appeared he was developing were large arms. Things that could be mounted on ships and prototypes. There weren't really any handheld weapons in view. I raced down the flight of stairs and moved along the corridor as quickly as I could. The door that I had entered from was on the other side. I could hear Siiv moving quickly behind me, weighed down by burdens of his own conscious. "You could leave that," I suggested as I hurried down the hallway. "I can't leave this! If it were to fall into the wrong hands...." Siiv protested. "Then you shouldn't have made it in the first place," I argued. He muttered some response under his breath and likely in his native tongue. "Just get the door," he snapped. Kova paused at a panel on the side of the wall. There was no way Dr. Siiv would have been able to lift his arms to press the button. I rolled my eyes and pressed the button. As soon as the doors parted, I could hear the rain, falling much heavier than it had when I arrived. And then, I heard something else. A single shot from a pulse rifle. I then heard a lot of the items in Siiv's tow fall to the ground. He turned, stared at me and then fell back onto the floor. A series of other shots rang out and I quickly hit the button to close the door, placing a barrier, albeit temporarily, us and our assailants. I made sure to engage whatever locks the doors had before rushing to Siiv's side. It was unsettling to see a hole straight through the man, as his blood pooled on the floor beneath him. "Dr. Siiv?" I called to him. He wasn't dead, but life was definitely pouring out of him as fast as his blood was. He patted his pocket, and I knew what he was suggesting. I reached into his pocket and removed the data drive that I had been sent to collect. "Run," he croaked hoarsely. And it turned out to be his final words. This data drive was clearly what these people were after. There was a pounding at the door, which let me know that I couldn't just stay there. Getting to my feet, I turned and began running back towards the stairwell. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the interactive lens and placed it over my eyes. "Chel-E, hack local network. I need eyes," I said as I reached the foot of the stairs. I could see Chel-E buffering, but soon surveillance feed around the compound occupied a portion of my vision. There were a total of five hostiles outside. Three at the entrance, and a pair moving to flank the building. There must have been another exit somewhere in the rear. Rather than get boxed in looking for it, I made the decision to ascend the stairs. "Show me all possible exits," I ordered as I ran up the stairs. The ground floor was out, but there was a potential exit on the top floor. A patio of sorts, which exited to the side. After reaching the top floor, I ran and rounded a pair of shipping crates. I paid no attention to them, other than they were marked with Federation shipping labels. It made me wonder if this was something else my shreya was expecting? If so, too bad. I moved towards the suggested exit, but found it was sealed shut. "Oh, come on!" I then heard the sound of the door being blasted open below. Some sort of concussive detonation. I was running out of time. I eyed one of the prototypes that Siiv had been testing. I raced towards it, and aimed it at the sealed door. If the assailants didn't know I was there by now, they'd realize that I was once the shot was fired. I pressed the trigger. The weapons blast would have blown the door off its hinges... if it had hinges... and if it hadn't taken about half a meter of the wall from either side as well. "Damn," I remarked seeing the carnage a single blast had done. Then, I turned the weapon towards the stairwell door. Perhaps it'd buy me a little more time. I could hear people already rushing up the stairs. I pulled the trigger once again, blasting the opening even wider, and causing some of the all to fall down the stairway. If they weren't dead or mangled, they'd certainly be pissed. I stepped out onto the patio, and peered over the side. It was about a five meter drop. There was no time for a mental debate. After taking a single breath, I planted my hands on the railing and hoisted myself over the side, silently cursing as she fled for her life. As I raced away in the rain, I had no idea one of my assailants had seen me.
Javik[fn]The Reman saboteur from S1 M9: Crash and Burn[/fn] was the first one to make it to the top landing. The Reman was covered in dust and debris, as were his colleagues. He quickly stepped out of the line of fire, in case the weapon that was pointing in their direction fired again. He noticed the crates near the weapons. "Take this back to the ship," he said. The subordinates nodded, as the Reman stepped on the landing. He could see what appeared to be an Andorian racing across the street and into another alley. He raised his hand to speak into his comm. "There's an Andorian female, fleeing our position to the north. She may have what we're looking for. Don't kill her until I have it."
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516
Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Apr 3, 2021 18:48:19 GMT
[Personal Log Entry: During S1M8]
Just how badly someone wants this thing has been sorely underestimated. Dr. Siiv is dead, and I had to fire a damn starship phaser turret into a stairwell, and leap from the second floor of a building just to survive. if these people weren't pissed before, they certainly will be now. That means I need to find the fastest way off this planet, and sitting in a terminal waiting for a transport is not going to happen. I doubt whoever was at Siiv's office is working alone. Hell, they could be following me right now.
[Forget Me Not (Bar), Freecloud]
It took four slips of latinum for me to skip the line and get into this damned bar. However, it was common knowledge that if you needed a favor (and an expensive one at that), that this was the place to go. What was demanded in return, however, wasn't always a price that people cared to play. Unfortunately for me, I didn't have a choice. They didn't bother checking me for weapons. It wasn't as if I'd be stupid enough to shoot the people I was about to ask for help from. I was instructed to sit at the bar, and that someone would find me. Well, that didn't take very long as a Cardassian woman approached me.
The sight of the woman herself was a bit jarring. Of course, now days, after the Dominion War, Cardassians were trying to find some semblance of life as much as anyone else. It was possible that they were still bitter, but that was hardly my problem, especially right now. She led me through the bar, to a back room where a Zibalian woman sat behind a desk. On either side of her were a pair of Cardassian men, both visibly armed. From the way they stood alone, Kova could tell they were ex-military. "You sought me out, Andorian," the woman remarked. "Tell me what you're looking for, and we'll discuss what you can do for Jaja."
I kept my eyes on them all, even as the Cardassian woman moved over to my right towards a bar. There didn't appear to be any other exit, besides the one that I'd just come through. "I need off this rock... yesterday," I stated.
The smile on Jaja's face widened. Desperation was always lucrative. "I see. And what exactly do you have to offer as payment, Miss...?"
"Sh'qaleq," I answered. As the Cardassian woman approached her boss and placed the drink on the table, she whispered something into Jaja's ear. Clearly, something the woman appreciated hearing.
"Kova Sh'qaleq. Premiere hacker, penally reformed... ex-Maquis... current security consultant to Starfleet," Jaja recited. My eyes darted immediately to the Cardassian woman. The Obsidian bitch! "I see you've found a way into the family business after all. Now, it seems you have quite a bit to offer in exchange. Where do we begin?" The Zibalian woman seemed to ponder the question for a moment. "I've got it. You can help me recover something that is rightfully mine."
And here it was. "I really don't have that type of time," I replied. "Like I said, I really need to leave."
Jaja smiled. "If you're as good as they say you are. You can do it from right here in this room," Jaja said. She nodded and the Cardassian woman placed a computer on the edge of Jaja's desk. "A family in the Orion Syndicate is pushing into my territory without proper compensation. I need you to move their legitimate funds into one of my accounts. Do you think you can manage that?"
Javik listened as the team reported in on the Andorian's location. "Secure the perimieter, and make certain she doesn't leave. I'm en route now. Once I'm there... we breach. Remember, the Andorian continues to breathe until I have what I'm looking for. Additional collateral damage is not a concern."
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516
Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on Apr 7, 2021 18:49:47 GMT
[Personal Log Entry: During S1M8]
Backroom deals rarely work out. However, in this case, I really don't have a choice. It's all about leverage. Right now, it looks as if Jaja has all of it. It's time that I show her just how wrong she is.
[Jaja's Office, Forget Me Not (Bar), Freecloud]
My hands moved nimbly over the computer. What she was asking for was child's play, which made me wonder if this was some sort of test. Perhaps, she just wanted to see what I was capable of before exploiting me further. Well, screw that roozh.[fn]excrement[/fn] I'm getting off this planet one way or another.
"Done," I said as I pushed the computer towards center of the desk. The Cardassian woman turned it so that Jaja could inspect it. It was almost worth it to see the look on the woman's face.
"What the fuck is this?!" Jaja said. It was obvious she didn't like being out of control. I felt end of one of the Cardassian's disruptors at my temple, clearly waiting on his boss' order. "If this is your idea of being cute...?"
"This is an investment," I said. "If you check the other tab, you'll see that the transfer you asked me to make is currently pending. If I'm not on the next transport off this mudball, then you've just purchased over 400,000 bars worth of Ferengi porn, which will download onto any personal device that enters your establishment. Not to mention a blatantly obvious digital trail so that the Syndicate knows exactly who took their money." I paused to watch the wheels turn in her head before piling on.
"Of course," I went on, "once I'm on that transport, I'll submit the code, cancelling the transaction so that the Syndicate is clueless about where their latinum ended up."
Jaja glared at Kova, and her scowl finally softened into a smile. She waved and the Cardassian removed the disruptor from my temple. "Perhaps I was misled. You're not as much of a white hat as I was led to believe," Jaja commented. "If you screw me over on this...."
The squeal of a Ferengi filled the room, which caused me to wince at the sound his obvious pleasurable peek. "Can you please shut that off before you talk about screwing anything?" I said. The little Obsidian tramp shut the feed off and I exhaled. "I don't have anything to lose here. If you decide not to help me, we're both regret it. I make it onto that transport, well... you'd have enough to buy another one of her." The comment seemed to actually get under the Obisidian woman's skin as her eyes narrowed at me.
"Very well, Ms. Sh'qaleq," Jaja said. "I'll see to those arrangements. My associate, Bivar, will see that you make it to the terminal." Jaja nodded and one of the burly Cardassian soldiers stepped aside and gestured towards the door.
Rising from my seat, I followed Bivar out of the office. He lead me back towards the populated area of the bar. As we moved closer to the door, it was as if time slowed down to a single moment of calm before all hell broke loose. There was a loud explosion that knocked Bivar and myself off our feet tossing us back. The room would have been filled with screams if the deafening explosion hadn't muffled them. There were arcs of disruptor fire racing overhead. Bodies were falling to the floor. One doesn't have to go to hell, when it actually comes for them.
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516
Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on May 27, 2021 2:14:27 GMT
[Personal Log Entry: During S1M8]
No good deed goes unpunished. You'd think it would be a lesson I'd learned by now. Well... I guess this is the part where they bring on the pain.
[Forget Me Not (Bar), Freecloud]
My ears were ringing, and it felt as if hell was literally raining down all around me. Bodies... glass... debris. One would have thought a small army was filtering through the building. Yet, it only seemed to be a pair of soldiers with some heavy duty weaponry. They were more than just mercenaries. They were well-trained, but their attire was unmarked. I felt a large hand pull me over into cover behind a booth. Bivar. He had brandished a disruptor and was mouthing something about preparing to make a run for it.
"That is the stupidest plan I've ever heard!" I protested. Bivar seemed inclined to offer before a table exploded into splinters of wood right in front of us. After a few moments the barrage of weaponry gave way to an eerie silence. I looked at Bivar, but it was obvious that neither of us was willing to look around and actually check.
"Andorian... give us the data drive," said Javik.
Clearly, these were the assholes from Siiv's lab. Bivar looked at me, as if questioning what the hell there was to think about. "I think we both know, that if I do that. You kill me, and probably everyone else in here. It's obvious that you don't want anyone to know who you are. You've got a knack for shooting up every building you step inside," I countered. It seemed sufficient reason enough to shut Bivar up.
"Then, perhaps I'll continue shooting the rest of these civilians until I get to you," Javik said.
I slipped my hand into my pocket and pulled on my interactive lens. I quickly began to scan the data drive and upload it into my personal cloud with the help of Chel-E. "Or, I bust up this data drive, and you don't have shit!" I said. I could tell my words had this clown thinking.
"You're lying," Javik responded.
I motioned for Bivar to hand me his disruptor. There was some hesitation, but the Cardassian eventually conceded. About that time, Chel-E confirmed that the upload was complete. I exhaled before finally taking the data drive and sliding it across the floor. I only waited a second before moving from behind my cover to blast the drive. As I stood, I quickly dropped the disruptor, making myself a helpless target. Not that it would matter with these guys. But perhaps, they'd entertain an unarmed target with a less than itchy trigger finger. "Pretty sure I'm not," I responded. "Let these people go, and I'll give you a chance to access the copy I uploaded. Of course, if you kill me... well, whoever writes your checks is gonna be pissed. Because you shot up Freecloud and have nothing to show for it."
Javik seemed to weigh his options, his eyes narrowing as he glared at me. "My name is Kova Sh'qaleq," I volunteered. "If you're worth what I think, you can look me up and verify that what I'm saying is the truth. If I have your data locked up... there's a very short list of people that may be able to get it back. And I'm willing to bet, you don't know where to begin to find any of them." It wasn't long before one of his lieutenants whipsered in the Reman's ear, giving my words some actual credence.
"You're with Starfleet, which means that you value the lives of these people," Javik said.
"Starfleet typically pays me to give a damn. Right now, I'm not on their dime," Kova countered. "Right now, what I'm trying to do is the same thing you are: control the situation. The fewer people in here, the fewer variables there are. I don't need anyone pissing on my plans. But if you want to wait around until someone's sac drops and they get a lucky shot off at you... fine."
The Reman took a deep breath before finally uttering, "They have thirty seconds to leave," Javik said. "Anyone left behind after that... dies."
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Kova Sh'qaleq
Civilian
Posts: 516
Likes: 34
Position: Security Consultant
Species: Andorian
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Post by Kova Sh'qaleq on May 28, 2021 5:16:38 GMT
[Personal Log Entry: During S1M8]
They say it's a good thing when a plan comes together. I'll do just that as soon as it happens.
[Forget Me Not (Bar), Freecloud]
Luckily, not everyone on Freecloud was a selfish douche. Most of the people worked quickly to help the people and get the injured outside. The dead of course were left behind, but it made sense. It didn't look like this Reman was actually counting to the second as long as the room cleared. He seemed to whisper orders to some of his men, and they began to file outside as well. I bit my lower lip, knowing that whatever leverage I had gained had quickly dissipated. I had been trying to get these people out of danger. I didn't expect danger to follow them.
The Reman began to move towards me, closing the distance between us. He had a hand disruptor trained on me as he approached. "You've gotten what you wanted, now it's time you give me what I want," Kova said. "Give me the interface and the means to access the cloud."
The corners of my lips curved into a smile as I began to chuckle. "Do the words biometric encryption mean anything to you?" I asked. "You don't get in, unless I let you in." I shook my head as I stared at the Reman. "And right now... I'm not feeling motivated to make that happen."
It was eerie as hell to see a Reman smile. His physique may have been wiry, but the look in his eyes was intimidating enough. And then, I felt it. My eyes widened as the pain began to settle. It was like a burning ice pick had been driven right through my eye and into my skull. I know I opened my mouth to screen, but even I don't know if any sound actually came out. And then, I could hear him... in my head.
You can give me access. Do it, and the pain stops.
Somehow, I was back on my knees. I couldn't even remember how I got there, but the intensity lessened for only a moment. My eyes opened and my vision was blurred. No, the room was actually spinning... and brighter than I remembered. At least, that was how I perceived it. I tried to stand, but stumbled. I reached up, briefly to make certain my antennae were still there and hadn't been severed. Luckily, it was, but I wasn't entirely sure I trusted my other senses.
"You're in the middle of a fight that doesn't concern you, Andorian," Javik said. "You will grant me access."
"F-fine," I said. I held up a hand, the other still holding the side of my head as if it somehow helped with the pain. I slipped the interface over my eye, blinking rapidly... but with a purpose. "Chel-E, standby to set up new user." While my verbal commands were heard, my blinking caused Chel-E to operate on a non-verbal format, controlled solely by eye movements.
[... entering EYE-Speak Mode.... ]
[... Cloning: last upload... Complete... ]
[... Sub-routine: Burn It Down!... Initiated.... ]
I reached up and removed the interface from my eyes and tossed it at the Reman. He reached down to pick it up and placed it over his eye. Sampling the product before accepting the buy. I actually would have been disappointed if this had gone down any other way. I didn't have to wait long. It was quite a sight to watch as the smile was practically wiped right off of his face.
"Wait...what's happe-- ARGH!!" his groan of pain actually happened when the lens overloaded, right over his eye. I wasted no time and rushed towards the Reman. He recovered quicker than I thought as he wildly swung a backhand. I avoided it easily enough and delivered a swift palm strike right to his jaw. He stumbled back barely a step before he steaded himself and reached for his disrupter. As he started to bring it upwards, I stepped forward used my arms to block the ascent of his. I then twisted and threw my shoulder into his chest and spun with a backfist to the Reman's (blindside) jaw.
As quickly as he fell to the ground, I dove for the disruptor that had clattered to the floor. No sooner had I got the weapon trained on him that I saw him disappearing in a transporter beam. The sense of relief I felt was brief as I quickly realized that it was only my immediate danger was over. There was still those people outside.
What was it? Four or five more of those phuuzhcas[fn]anal orifices[/fn] out there armed to the teeth, and me with a single disruptor? Why couldn't it ever be spineless Ferengi committing white collar crimes?
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